Drawings of optical elements contain specification requirements on the properties of optical glass in most cases
according to the standard ISO 10110 part 2 stress birefringence, part 3 bubbles and inclusions and part 4 inhomogeneity
and striae. When ordering glass for the production of the elements sometimes uncertainties and misunderstandings
occur, since the specification requirements on elements according to ISO 10110 cannot be transferred to the raw glass
easily and clearly in any case. The reason is that raw glass may be delivered in very different shape: From close to net
shape as pressings to far away from that as strip or block glass. Additionally in many cases an individual inspection by
the glass supplier is not possible due to cost reasons or since it is not known at the time of delivery, which elements will
be produced from the glass piece.
Up to now an international standard was missing for optical raw glass. This standard ISO DIS 12123 is now close to final
voting and release. This presentation provides the motivation for writing the standard, a comparison with ISO 10110 and
information on the state and progress of standardization of optical glass.